For much of the time period covered by this web site, Iowa supported four regimental bands in its National Guard. In the General Orders No. 1 of 1877, the guard was organized into regiments, each of which was provided with a regimental band. In 1892, the Iowa General Assembly authorized the establishment of four regimental bands of 24 pieces each and one "State" band of 36 pieces. The state band was never formed, but the four regimental bands were established in the towns of Centerville, Davenport, Dubuque, and Sioux City.

Many units of Iowa's national guard were called to active duty during the Spanish American War of 1898. Upon their return, the regiments were renumbered twice (1900 & 1902) and relocated a number of times. As a consequence, it sometimes seems as though Iowa supported many more than four military bands. Here is a summary (with a few dates still uncertain) of evolution of Iowa's regimental bands between the Spanish American War and World War I.

49th / 53rd Regimental Band:

1900 - Marshalltown

1902? - Waukon

1908 - Cedar Rapids

50th / 54th Regimental Band:

1900 - Keokuk

1902? - Ottumwa

51st / 55th Regimental Band:

1900 - Centerville

1909 - Clarinda

52nd / 56th Regimental Band:

1900 - Algona

1902? - Fort Dodge

1910 - Mason City

1911 - Des Moines

1914? - Mason City

Wherever they were stationed, Iowa's regimental bands became a valued part of the local musical culture and were touted as musical representatives of their host communities.

In addition to Iowa's four guard bands, a number of regular army bands were stationed at Fort Des Moines during the years that it was an active army base located on the south side of Des Moines.

Sources: Iowa Journal of History and Politics (1920), Report(s) of the Adjutant General to the State of Iowa (1906, 1908, 1912, & 1914).